Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1,818, John Gaspenson, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb
Haspenson, John
S 1818
Born in England
CONTENTS
carded

5717 East Tennessee
John Gasperson
introduced in the State of Tennessee who was a Pvt. in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col: White _____ in the _____ line for 6 months from _____.
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 20 - Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Feby. 1833 and sent from L. Standifer, Atty. of Reps.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1833 - 30 - Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar: 33 10 -
$ 40 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk Book (D) Vol. 7 Page 101 -
Letter to R. A. Maucy Esq Auditor 23 June 1840
Dear
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1833 to 26 th Feby 1835 the day of his death as ag d notified 2 nd Feby 1840

State of Tennessee ~
Anderson County ~ At August Session of said County 1832
On this 2 nd day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, at a Circuit Court held for the County and State aforesaid, by the Honorable Edward Scott one of the Judges of the Circuit Courts of law and equity for said State, being a court of record, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, John Gasperson — aged 89 years a resident of said County and State, who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of a law of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, That he was born in Leicestershire England sometime in the year 1764 that he came to America as a soldier in the British army under General Howe about the commencement of the Revolutionary war - that he continued to serve in the British army in various places during the war until about six weeks before the siege of ninety-six, which was then in possession of the British under the command of Col. Bruger - that about six weeks before the siege of the said fort, he was severely chastised by his officer for doing, what he conceived to be his duty to do, upon receiving which chastisement he immediately deserted from the British army then at ninety-six in company with James Dand and Eplenaim Haynes two British soldiers - that after he had left the British army he went up on the Ruge river where he lived about two months among the whigs - he then came up to Burke County N.C. where he took some mans place in a company who were going against the Indians - in this expedition he was out about three weeks after his return to Burke County he entered the army of the United States as a volunteer in a company of horse which was commanded by Captain or Cornet, Thomas Canada and Lieutenant Heland, afterwards promoted to a Major - this company was attached to a Regiment of horse commanded by Col. White - applicant entered the army at Morganton Burke County N.C. for an indefinite period of time - from Morganton his company they marched under the command of the said Captain Canada through Salisbury N.C. and Charlotte N.C.

and on to Snowing Creek, and Crops Creek where the D o company joined the main army under Genl. Mutherford Col s John M c Dowell and the said Col. White - the whole army then marched on towards Wilmington, to a place called the brick-house not many miles from Wilmington - in this house there was a party of British and Tories stationed, to capture which a part of the American force was detailed under Captain Canada - applicant was one of this party and succeeded after a brief opposition from the enemy in destroying the house and taking several prisoners - in this engagement applicant was wounded in the right side with a bayonette and received a skin wound in the left arm after this affair applicant with his company joined the main army and proceeded on to Wilmington, of which they took possession the British having evacuated it - From Wilmington applicant under the command of his said Captain Canada Lieutenant Hiland and Hezekiah Hargreaves, Sergeant, with 12 or 15 men proceeded along the country upon the waters of Deep River when one morning as they were eating something at a house on their route, they were surprised by a body of Tories under the command of Col s Fannan and Blood, upon their approaching the house Captain Canada and five or six of his men attempted to make their escape but were pursued by the Tories and all taken prisoners, while the Tories were in the pursuit of Canada and those who went with him applicant made his escape on foot with the Lieutenant, Sergeant, and the balance of the men, and were closely pursued by the Tories after they had captured Canada and his party, but they took refuge in a swamp for some time and escaped their pursuit - that same night applicant and his party met with a force of American militia who were marching to the relief of some of Genl. Mutherford's men, and the next morning started with an additional number of men to recapture Captain Canada, if possible, but in marching for this purpose they met Canada who had been paroled and who

therefore refused again to join the American army - applicant states that he continued to march about through the country after the war until sometime in January or February when he left the army or company with which he had been doing service some where above Brap Creek - applicant states that he was in the American service between six and seven months - he states that while near Wilmington he heard of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown - he states that being an entire stranger in the country at that time and totally unacquainted with its geography, he cannot recollect with accuracy the respective localities of the various and places over which he marched - he states that for about twenty years after the war he resided in Rutherford County N.C. when he moved to Georgia where he lived about two years, when he moved to Burke County N.C. where he lived about nine years, when he moved back to Rutherford County N.C. where he lived about one year, when he moved to South Carolina where he lived about two years, when he moved to Knox County Tenn. where he lived about five years, when he moved to Anderson County Tenn. where he has lived ever since - applicant states that he has no record of his age, but from the best information he has he thinks he is eighty nine years old - he states that he never got a discharge for his services, nor has he any documentary evidence whatever of his service, nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state sworn to and subscribed in open
Court this 29 th August 1892
John his Gasperson mark
STATE 6703106 1/2
State of Tennessee
Anderson County S I John Childs an acting Justice of the Peace for Anderson County, Tennessee, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Gasperson who has sworn to and subscribed to the foregoing declaration and has been as accurate

Court this 29 th August 1832
John no Gasperson mark
STATE 673116 1/2
State of Tennessee
Anderson County S I John Childs an existing Justice of the Peace for Anderson County, Tennessee, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Gasperson who has sworn to and subscribed the within declaration and have been an accurate
I certify that Arthur Grogan is Clerk of the Circuit Court for Anderson County and that his signature is genuine and that there is no official bond of office for said Court
February the 14 th 1833
James Standifer N.C.
Let this certificate to John Gasperson, on these papers if not back, be directed to Knoxville Tenn.

Ed for the last ten years; that I believe him he is eighty nine years of age; that he has frequently heard the said John Garfenson relate his story of being in the Revolutionary war several years ago, and he has heard of his telling it to different persons, and from the uniform and consistent manner of relating it every where and to different persons, and from the correspondence of these narrations and the foregoing declaration I am bound to believe it to be true - and I do further certify that I never have heard the fact doubted or contradicted that the said John Garfenson had been a soldier of the Revolution - sworn to & subscribed in open court the 29 th August 1832
John Gyles
A. G. Gyles
6852
State of Tennessee } Anderson County } I Samuel Edmanson a resident of said County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Garfenson who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration and have been so acquainted for the last fifteen years; that I be- lieve him to be 88 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revo- lution and that I concur in that opinion sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 30 th day of August 1832 Samuel Edmanson
A. Grogier Clerk
By L. M. Penkett
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation

this 30 th day of August 1832 Samuel Edmundson A. Kroger Clerk By Lin Pumbill
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that John Childs and Samuel Edmundson who have signed the above certificates do reside in this county, are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to full credit, and also that the said John Childs is in acting justice of the peace for Anderson County.
As. Scott one of the Judges of the Circuit Courts of Law and Equity in and the State of Tennessee
I Arthur Kroger Clerk of the Circuit Court for Anderson County Tenn. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of said Court in the matter of the application of John Gasper-son for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal having no seal of office, at office this 31 st day of August 1832
A. Kroger

John Gaspenson Vennesel No 6852.
for 17- pins 6 months return $20.
Hon. J. H. Anderson

BRIEF in the case of  John Gaspenson  of Anderson County  in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Scout  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 89 Years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     4 yrs In 17 th Inf t Reg t between 6 & 7 months As a Private Gen. Rutherford Col White Regiment of Horse Capt Canada Lt Holland  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Mills House  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Brake County North Carolina  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective in regard to period of service 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 27 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of John Gaspenson, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Knoxville Tenn. Agency, at the rate of Twenty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1833 to the 26 th Feby 1835, the day of his death.
Respectfully yours,
Albion B. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 2, p. 136
1818
INVALID.
1668 John P. Kenton Died 1818
Andrew J. D. ...
Index - Vol. A Page 136
[Arranged in 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Gaspenson further proof or explanation.
which require
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
No
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Not answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying Officer, has no public Seal of Office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the Official character and signature of the certifying Officer, should be sent with the papers.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Gasper, Peter GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7188 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Feb. 14, 1791 To — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.